Road trips with kids need a little bit of preparation, don't forget the following ....  1. Pillows Never underestimate the value of a pillow for each child.  Pillows not only comfort the little bobbing heads of weary travellers, but they act as totally useful buffer zones when cranky moods overcome the back seat.  They're also good to use as laptop raisers.

Activities such as colouring in, puzzles and craft are a little higher and easier to manage on a child's lap.  Use a waterproof pillow protector under the slip to catch any spills or for when marking pens go a little outside the lines!

2. A water bottle with sipper top Yes, water is the ultimate in refreshing, healthy drinks.  However there's another use for a water bottle, particularly one with a sipper top.  Any time you need to spot clean' something, water is usually the best solution, and the spill-proof top avoids any splish-splosh inside the car.

3. Baby wipes Sticky hands and car upholstery are not good friends.  A pack of baby wipes is invaluable.  Keep them in the glove box within handy reach.  They're good for hands, faces, gooey mouths, nappy changes, and to clean up any splodges you may not have thought of!

4. Plastic bags They're everywhere and yet you can never find one when you need one.  Pack a few under the seat of the car or in the door compartment.  So useful for collecting rubbish, containing damp or wet items, and even for catching those meals that sometimes revisit on road trips!

5. Face washer Damp, they're fantastic for slightly larger cleaning tasks and for cooling hot faces down on long, warm weather car journeys.  Dry, they make excellent windscreen de-foggers in rainy conditions when you can't leave the windows open.

6. Mobile phone charger No use packing the desktop one in the suitcase and letting the mobile phone battery die inside the car.  Just in case you need to call the RACQ, NRMA, RACV or similar body, you'll really wish your phone was all charged up.  Be sure to take with you, the charger that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter.

7. Kid-friendly music When the last thing you want to do is personally entertain the kids, a good selection of music they love will be a huge asset.  Looking behind to sing nursery rhymes is likely to bring on carsickness.  Trying to come up with ample material to keep them happy will drive you nuts.  Put on a CD they're familiar with and you can tune out to it and read in peace while the driver focuses on the road.  Happy family holidays!

Article written by Gina Lofaro, Copywriter